Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Review

Press Review

The Saeima deputies were almost unanimous in their vote to dismiss the Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian Armed Forces J.Eihmanis from his post.

The Saeima deputies were almost unanimous in their vote to dismiss the Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian Armed Forces J.Eihmanis from his post. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Bizness & Baltiya

The question of possible participation of

The question of possible participation of Social Democrats in the government will be discussed at the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Council meeting on January 23. It means that P.Salkazanovs, who was chosen by Prime Minister V.Kristopans to the post of the Minister of Agriculture, will not be able to have this post untill this time. The TB/LNNK Board decided not to change its decision against participation of ULSD in the government. Neatkariga, Diena

OSCE inspectors are satisfied with the dismantling of Skrunda Radar Station. Latvian MFA admits a possibility that the dismantling could be finished ahead of schedule. MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that the Ministry agreed with the inspectors’ opinion and could only congratulate Russia with a successful process of dismantling.

OSCE inspectors are satisfied with the dismantling of Skrunda Radar Station. Latvian MFA admits a possibility that the dismantling could be finished ahead of schedule. MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that the Ministry agreed with the inspectors opinion and could only congratulate Russia with a successful process of dismantling. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

The Chairman of Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission G.Krasts considers that the EU Council could take a positive decision on starting discussions with Latvia next year, but the continuation would depend on the ability of the Latvian government to proceed with the started reforms.

The Chairman of Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission G.Krasts considers that the EU Council could take a positive decision on starting discussions with Latvia next year, but the continuation would depend on the ability of the Latvian government to proceed with the started reforms. Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya

According to the analysis of the situation - 705 teachers have not passed the Latvian language knowledge test on the third level, and 448 from the total number of teachers in Russian speaking schools do not know the language at all or have not passed the test even on the lowest level. These facts were announced yesterday by the Director of the General Education Department, Ministry of Education and Science, G.Valujevs. The most problematic situation is in Riga (214 teachers) and in Riga Region and Liepaja. The Ministry of Education and Science has elaborated a plan to improve this situation.

According to the analysis of the situation - 705 teachers have not passed the Latvian language knowledge test on the third level, and 448 from the total number of teachers in Russian speaking schools do not know the language at all or have not passed the test even on the lowest level. These facts were announced yesterday by the Director of the General Education Department, Ministry of Education and Science, G.Valujevs. The most problematic situation is in Riga (214 teachers) and in Riga Region and Liepaja. The Ministry of Education and Science has elaborated a plan to improve this situation. Neatkariga, Chas

O.Mironov, Russian Plenipotentiary on Human Rights Affairs, announced on Wednesday that the rights of Russian speakers in Latvia should be defended by Latvia but not Russia. He said that Russia might talk about defending the rights of Russians or Russian speakers in the Baltic states only if it concerned Russian citizens or persons Russia was ready to grant Russian citizenship.

O.Mironov, Russian Plenipotentiary on Human Rights Affairs, announced on Wednesday that the rights of Russian speakers in Latvia should be defended by Latvia but not Russia. He said that Russia might talk about defending the rights of Russians or Russian speakers in the Baltic states only if it concerned Russian citizens or persons Russia was ready to grant Russian citizenship. Diena

MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis stated that Russian State Council ignored contemporary processes combining the integration process of the Baltic states into NATO with Russian - USA nuclear weapons reduction agreement. He stressed that the integration of the Baltic states or any other state is their legitimate choice and Latvian MFA was sure that European states, especially Nato member states, should condemn such an approach to this issue.

MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis stated that Russian State Council ignored contemporary processes combining the integration process of the Baltic states into NATO with Russian - USA nuclear weapons reduction agreement. He stressed that the integration of the Baltic states or any other state is their legitimate choice and Latvian MFA was sure that European states, especially Nato member states, should condemn such an approach to this issue. Diena

J.Sinka, the ideologist of

J.Sinka, the ideologist of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK, considers it to be a myth that the unwillingness of Russia to establish good relations with Latvia is the guilt of national radicals - TB/LNNK with their former Prime Minister G.Krasts leading. The government of V.Kristopans could succeed as far as Russian wish goes to. And the only thing to do now is to wait until Russia overcomes its economic crisis to restore Latvian - Russian trade relations. In the political sphere Latvia has done the utmost as an independent state. J.Sinka does not think that the new government could offer Russian such compromises that could cut Latvian sovereignty. Jauna Avize

Inga Ulnicane writes about different aspects of remaining in the opposition and the situation of

Inga Ulnicane writes about different aspects of remaining in the opposition and the situation of Peoples Party in this respect. Rigas Balss

The newspapers

The newspapers Chas and SM publish the full text of the leeter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs to the Chairman of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission G.Krasts about the visit of the left wing parties to Moscow with their comments on this letter.

SM

and and Bizness & BaltiyaBizness & Baltiya inform about the yesterdays picket at the UNDP office, and the meeting of the Head of this office J.Sorensen with these people. inform about the yesterday’s picket at the UNDP office, and the meeting of the Head of this office J.Sorensen with these people. As it was expected the Saeima was positive in its vote to continue considering the draft language law prepared by

As it was expected the Saeima was positive in its vote to continue considering the draft language law prepared by TB/LNNK. SM

Russian speaking newspapers

SM and Panorama Latvii publish the full text of the address of Russian State Council to the Saeima where it expresses its satisfaction with the result of the referendum on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship.